(CMC) – While West Indies’ T20 captain Rovman Powell is expecting a “fascinating” series against Sri Lanka, he fully believes his troops will come out on top.
The two teams face off in the first of three T20Is today at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, and a confident Powell said the team was upbeat of their chances of continuing their winning form in T20 series.
West Indies have clean swept both South Africa and India at home in T20Is in 2024, while Sri Lanka have a home ODI series win against India, as well as white-ball series wins against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
The last time the West Indies toured Sri Lanka in 2020 for a white-ball series, they swept the T20Is 2-0.
In 15 T20Is between the two, the West Indies have won seven and Sri Lanka eight.
“A Sri Lankan team at home is always challenging, and world cricket needs a good Sri Lankan team just as much as they need a good West Indies team, and it’s good to see both teams playing good cricket at the moment, so it should be a fascinating series,” Powell said.
“[But] our guys are upbeat about our chances of playing Sri Lanka and beating Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.”
Powell, however, admitted that it would not be an easy task to defeat Sri Lanka at home.
“It’s always challenging for a West Indies team to tour Sri Lanka, but fortunately for us we have guys that have toured Sri Lanka before, and it’s also an opportunity for guys to get their feet wet in conditions that will play the next T20 World Cup.
“It’s typical Sri Lankan conditions; the ball will spin, the ball will grip; they tend to make those kinds of wickets for their advantage,” Powell said.
“But it’s a West Indies team that has quality spinners also, so we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge.”
Powell said he was also looking forward to the new guys in the team getting an opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage.
He said with the 2026 ICC Men’s World Cup set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, it presented the perfect chance for the young players to experience the conditions.
“It’s exciting times for new talent coming through in the T20 setup, and it’s also important for me as a leader to lead from the front.
“Once you lead from the front, the young guys will naturally follow,” Powell said.
SQUAD
West Indies: Rovman Powell (captain), Roston Chase (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Alick Athanaze, Andre Fletcher, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.
T20I Series:
1st T20I: October 13, 2024: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
2nd T20I: October 15, 2024: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
3rd T20I: October 17, 2024: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.